1. How long should I run Orthos, and have Core-temp logging my temps, to get a good average load temperature? I found after 20 minutes my temps maxed out
2. For stability testing, is Prime 95 or Orthos a better program? It appears that they run similar tests
2b. Is there a helpfile I can look at so I can setup two instances of Prime 95? I have thus far been unsuccessful at finding any information on this)
3. Are there premade game benchmark programs that will run say, Prey or Doom 3, in different areas of the game and log the FPS? Or do I have to play the game myself in various areas and log my results with fraps?
4. Thanks!

I am trying to get an idea of what kind of procedure I should follow so I can make my hardware reviews as rock solid as possible.

1. How long should I run Orthos, and have Core-temp logging my temps, to get a good average load temperature? I found after 20 minutes my temps maxed out

I normally run 1 hour to make absolutely sure that everything is maxed out, but 1/2 hour would probably be sufficient for temps.

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2. For stability testing, is Prime 95 or Orthos a better program? It appears that they run similar tests

Orthos is just a front-end for prime95 which used to be a PITA to set up for dual core. The latest version of Prime95 will run 4 cores on its own.

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2b. Is there a helpfile I can look at so I can setup two instances of Prime 95? I have thus far been unsuccessful at finding any information on this)

The latest version of Prime95 does it for you.

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3. Are there premade game benchmark programs that will run say, Prey or Doom 3, in different areas of the game and log the FPS? Or do I have to play the game myself in various areas and log my results with fraps?

This is a tough one as it's hard to get away from the "synthetic" benchmark stigma.

1. Once your temps level out, that's pretty much it. I let it go for 30 minutes, just to make sure, but 15-20 usually does just fine.

2. If there's a difference between Prime and Orthos, you'd have to get pretty technical to understand it.

2b. Orthos will automatically grab 2 cores with each instance. To get Prime running on two cores, open two instances of the program. Before running each one, go to the Windows task manager, and under the list of processes running, find the two instances of Prime. Right click on each one to get a menu, and go to the 'Affinity' option. Set the affinity of one of the processes to core 0, and the other to core 1. Then run both instances like normal.

3. If you're looking for fps counts to compare with other machines, you need a reproduceable scenario. Can't speak for Doom 3 or Prey, but I know Half Life 2: Lost Coast and Lost Planet both have in-game benchmarks.

3. If you're looking for fps counts to compare with other machines, you need a reproduceable scenario. Can't speak for Doom 3 or Prey, but I know Half Life 2: Lost Coast and Lost Planet both have in-game benchmarks.

Edit: Beaten twice!

I noticed that the OP has a 1600pro listed.... I think the "freebie" at steam for ATI cards is still valid for getting lost coast which includes that benchmark (I DL'd it just for the benchmark).

1. How long should I run Orthos, and have Core-temp logging my temps, to get a good average load temperature? I found after 20 minutes my temps maxed out
2. For stability testing, is Prime 95 or Orthos a better program? It appears that they run similar tests
2b. Is there a helpfile I can look at so I can setup two instances of Prime 95? I have thus far been unsuccessful at finding any information on this)
3. Are there premade game benchmark programs that will run say, Prey or Doom 3, in different areas of the game and log the FPS? Or do I have to play the game myself in various areas and log my results with fraps?
4. Thanks!

I am trying to get an idea of what kind of procedure I should follow so I can make my hardware reviews as rock solid as possible.

1 & 2 = Prime95 for about 2 hours for quick check ; 12 hrs for a long check

3 = Benchmarks is basically running a game and watching the FPS with different settings, tho some games have time_demos to do this for you

Ah thats what I was looking for, time demos. I was wondering how Tom's Hardware got all their benchmarks for Prey, doom 3, HL:Lost Coast etc to be consistent between components and playing, since you can't always look in the same direction all the time for two passes through a game...

This is great information. Much appreciated. If anyone thinks it may be worth it, I am considering posting my experiences OC'ing my system. I am unsure if that kind of info is valuable or not...cheers.

I am going to run some benchmarks on my stock setup, and then throw on a Thermalright Ultra 120 extreme for good measure. I am hoping for 3.3ghz stable, with an optimistic goal of 3.6ghz. I also will be OC'ing my memory up from 800mhz, and I am planning on pushing my bfg gpu a little more than the factory OC as well.